Dynamic adjustment of components of the detection assembly

Abstract

To provide a fluid processing device that enables dynamic adjustment of components of a detection assembly.SOLUTION: A fluid processing device includes a detection assembly having a source and a detector. The source emits a signal to fluid or a fluid component in the fluid processing device, with at least a portion of the signal reaching the detector. The detection assembly further includes one or more adjustment systems configured to adjust the position and / or orientation of one or more components of the detection assembly. The position and / or orientation of the entire source and / or the entire detector, the position and / or orientation of a component of the source with respect to another component of the source, and / or the position of a component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector may be adjusted to increase the signal received by the detector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 994,492, filed on March 25, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] [Technical Field] The present disclosure relates to a detection assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the dynamic adjustment of the components of a detection assembly.

Background Art

[0003] [Description of Related Art] Various blood treatment systems have made it possible to collect specific blood components from a blood source rather than whole blood. Typically, in such systems, whole blood is drawn from a blood source, specific blood components or fractions are removed and collected, and the remaining blood components are returned to the blood source.

[0004] Whole blood is typically separated into its components by centrifugation. This requires that the whole blood pass through the centrifuge after being removed from the centrifuge and before being returned. To avoid the possibility of contamination and infection of the blood source, the blood is preferably contained within a sealed and sterile fluid flow circuit throughout the centrifugation process. Thus, a typical blood treatment system includes a permanent and reusable centrifuge assembly that includes hardware (drive systems, pumps, valve actuators, programmable controllers, etc.) for rotating and pumping the blood, and a disposable, sealed, sterile fluid treatment assembly that is attached in cooperation with the hardware. The centrifuge assembly engages and rotates the disposable centrifuge chamber of the fluid treatment assembly during the collection procedure. However, the blood actually only contacts the fluid treatment assembly. The fluid treatment assembly is used only once and then discarded.

[0005] When whole blood is rotated by a centrifuge, heavier (higher specific gravity) components such as red blood cells move radially outward away from the center of rotation and toward the outer wall or "high G" wall of the separation chamber. Lighter (lower specific gravity) components such as plasma move toward the inner wall or "low G" wall of the separation chamber. By forming appropriately placed channeling seals and outlet ports within the separation chamber, various ones of these components can be selectively removed from the whole blood.

[0006] It is known to use an optical sensor assembly to monitor the flow of blood and / or blood components through a flow circuit within a centrifuge and to determine various characteristics of the flow. For example, International Publication No. WO2018 / 053217A1 of a PCT application (which is incorporated herein by reference) relates to an optical sensor assembly for observing a centrifuge chamber to detect and control the position of an interface between separated blood components. In this assembly, as with other detection assemblies, proper alignment of the various components of the detection assembly with respect to the object being monitored is necessary to confirm that the fluid is being properly monitored during the procedure. The fluid flow circuit may be attached to the hardware in a way that affects the performance of the detection assembly, and as a result, it may be advantageous to enable dynamic adjustment of one or more components of the detection assembly depending on the orientation of a disposable circuit attached to the hardware (or depending on some other factor). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] There are several aspects to the subject matter that may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects can be used alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and describing these aspects together is not intended to preclude using these aspects separately as described in the claims appended hereto, or claiming such aspects separately or as a set in different combinations.

[0008] In one aspect, a fluid processing apparatus includes a detection assembly having a source and a detector. The source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, and configured to emit a signal. The detector is associated with a structure of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, and configured to receive at least a portion of the signal. The detection assembly further includes an adjustment system associated with the source and / or an adjustment system associated with the detector. A control unit of the fluid processing apparatus is configured to control the adjustment system associated with the source to adjust the position and / or orientation of the source with respect to the position and / or orientation of the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or to adjust the position and / or orientation of a component of the source with respect to another component of the source. The control unit is configured to control the adjustment system associated with the detector to adjust the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or to adjust the position and / or orientation of a component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector.

[0009] In another aspect, a method for monitoring a fluid and / or a component of a fluid within a fluid processing apparatus including a source and a detector is provided, the source being associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, and the detector being associated with a structure of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus. The method includes emitting a signal from the source to the fluid and / or a fluid component within the fluid processing apparatus, with at least a portion of the signal being received by the detector. The position and / or orientation of the source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, the position and / or orientation of a component of the source with respect to another component of the source, and / or the position and / or orientation of a component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector are adjusted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The embodiments disclosed in this specification are intended to provide an explanation of the subject matter, and it is understood that the subject matter can be embodied in various other forms and combinations that are not shown in detail. Accordingly, the specific designs and features disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting the subject matter defined in the appended claims.

[0028] Figures 1 - 17 show the components of a blood or fluid processing system that embodies various aspects of the subject matter. This system can be described herein with respect to its use in separating blood into two or more components, but it should be understood that the systems according to the present disclosure can be used to process various biological or body fluids (including fluids that include both body and non - body fluids, such as anticoagulated blood). Further, although an optical monitoring or detection assembly is described herein, the principles described herein (i.e., the possibility of dynamically adjusting one or more components of the detection assembly) can be applied to other types of monitoring or detection assemblies, such as an ultrasonic detection assembly for detecting air in a fluid line.

[0029] A fluid processing system according to the present disclosure typically includes two main components, namely a durable and reusable fluid processing device 10 (Figure 1) and a disposable fluid flow circuit 12 (Figure 2). The disposable fluid flow circuit 12 can be advantageous for processing body fluids, but it should be understood that the principles described herein are applicable to non - body fluids, in which case the disposable fluid flow circuit can be omitted.

[0030] The illustrated fluid treatment apparatus 10 includes a rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 (FIG. 1), a centrifuge 16 (FIG. 3), additional components that control the flow of fluid through the disposable fluid flow circuit 12, and a control unit 18 (FIG. 1). The control unit 18 controls the operation of the other components of the fluid treatment apparatus 10 (including the detection assembly) to perform a procedure selected by an operator. Since the principles described herein regarding the dynamic adjustment of the components of the detection assembly are not limited to a particular fluid treatment system or procedure, a complete fluid treatment apparatus or procedure is not described in detail herein. However, for a detailed description of the fluid treatment apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 and various exemplary procedures that can be performed using such a system, reference can be made to International Publication No. WO2018 / 053217A1 of the PCT application.

[0031] I. Durable Fluid Treatment Apparatus The fluid treatment apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) is configured as a durable item that can be used for a long period of time. It should be understood that the fluid treatment apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is merely an example of one possible configuration, and fluid treatment apparatuses according to the present disclosure can be configured differently. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the fluid treatment apparatus to omit either or both of the rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 and the centrifuge 16 and instead process the fluid without separating it.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid treatment apparatus 10 is incorporated into a single housing or case 20. The illustrated case 20 includes a substantially horizontal portion 22 (which may include inclined or sloped surfaces or upper surfaces to enhance visibility and ergonomics) and a substantially vertical portion 24. The rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 and the centrifuge 16 are shown as being incorporated into the substantially horizontal portion 22 of the case 20, and the control unit 18 is shown as being incorporated into the substantially vertical portion 24.

[0033] A. Rotary Membrane Separator Drive Unit The illustrated fluid processing apparatus 10 includes a rotor support or a drive unit 14 (FIG. 1) for a drive unit of a substantially cylindrical rotary membrane separator 26 of a fluid flow circuit 12 (FIG. 2). U.S. Patent No. 5,194,145, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an exemplary rotary membrane separator drive unit suitable for incorporation into the fluid processing apparatus 10, but the rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 may be configured differently without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The principles described herein with respect to the adjustment of the components of the detection assembly can be implemented in combination with any configuration of the rotary membrane separator or in the absence of a rotary membrane separator, and thus the rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 will not be described in detail herein.

[0034] B. Centrifuge The adjustment of the components of the detection assembly is described herein in the context of the detection assembly of the centrifuge 16. Thus, for purposes of illustration, a specially configured centrifuge 16 and associated centrifuge chamber 32 and detection assembly are described herein. However, it should be understood that such principles can be implemented in combination with any configuration of the centrifuge 16 or in the absence of a centrifuge.

[0035] The illustrated centrifuge 16 includes a centrifuge compartment 34 that can receive other components of the centrifuge 16 (FIG. 3). The centrifuge compartment 34 can include a lid 36 that is opened to insert and remove the centrifuge chamber 32 of the fluid flow circuit 12. During the separation procedure, since the centrifuge chamber 32 is rotated or pivoted about the shaft 38 under the power of an electric drive motor or rotor 40 of the centrifuge 16, the lid 36 can be closed with the centrifuge chamber 32 disposed within the centrifuge compartment 34.

[0036] The specific configuration and operation of the centrifuge 16 depends on the specific configuration of the centrifuge chamber 32 of the fluid flow circuit 12. In one embodiment, the centrifuge 16 is similar in structure and operation to that of the ALYX system manufactured by Fenwal, Incorporated of Lake Zurich, Illinois, under the umbrella of Fresenius Kabi AG of Bad Homburg, Germany. Details are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,075,468, which is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, the centrifuge 16 may include a carrier or support 42 that holds the centrifuge chamber 32 and the yoke member 44. The yoke member 44 engages the umbilicus 46 of the fluid flow circuit 12 that extends between the centrifuge chamber 32 and the cassette 48 of the fluid flow circuit 12 (FIG. 4). The yoke member 44 orbits around the centrifuge chamber 32 at a 1 omega rotational speed with the umbilicus 46. The umbilicus 46 twists about its own axis as it orbits around the centrifuge chamber 32. According to known designs, the twist of the umbilicus 46 about the axis of the umbilicus 46 when rotating at 1 omega with the yoke member 44 gives the centrifuge chamber 32 a 2 omega rotation. The relative rotation of the yoke member 44 at 1 omega rotational speed and the centrifuge chamber 32 at 2 omega rotational speed keeps the umbilicus 46 untwisted and avoids the need for a rotary seal.

[0037] The fluid is introduced into the centrifugation chamber 32 by the umbilicus 46, and as a result of the centrifugal force when it rotates, within the centrifugation chamber 32 the fluid separates (e.g., into a layer of less dense components such as platelet-rich plasma if the fluid is blood, and into a layer of more dense components such as concentrated red blood cells if the fluid is blood). The components of the interface monitoring assembly are disposed within the centrifugation compartment 16 and can monitor the separation of the fluid within the centrifugation chamber 32. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the interface monitoring assembly can include a light source 50 and a photodetector 52 arranged and oriented to receive at least a portion of the light emitted by the light source 50. The illustrated light source 50 and photodetector 52 are associated with the stationary surface of the centrifugation compartment 34, but alternatively may be associated with a movable structure or component of the fluid processing device 10 as in U.S. Patent No. 5,316,667, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, as will be described in more detail herein, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the position and / or orientation of the light source 50 and / or the photodetector 52 can be adjusted with respect to the structure or component of the fluid processing device 10 with which it is associated.

[0038] The initial or initial-setting orientation and position of the various components of the interface monitoring assembly depend at least in part on the particular configuration of the centrifugation chamber 32. However, generally, the light source 50 emits a light beam "L" (e.g., a laser light beam) through the separated fluid components within the centrifugation chamber 32, which can be formed of a material that substantially transmits without absorbing the light L or at least a particular wavelength of the light L. A portion of the light L reaches the photodetector 52, and the photodetector 52 transmits a signal indicating the position of the interface between the separated fluid components to the control unit 18. If the control unit 18 determines that the interface is in the wrong position (which can affect the separation efficiency of the centrifuge 16 and / or the quality of the separated blood components), it can issue commands to appropriate components of the fluid processing device 10 to change their operation to move the interface to the appropriate location.

[0039] C. Other Components of the Fluid Processing Device In addition to the rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 and the centrifuge 16, the fluid treatment apparatus 10 may include other components that are compactly arranged to assist with fluid treatment. Exemplary components (including a pump system, a cassette station 54 for housing the cassette 48 of the fluid flow circuit 12) are described in more detail in International Publication No. WO2018 / 053217A1 of the PCT application.

[0040] Among the various components of the fluid treatment apparatus 10, there are a plurality of detection assemblies D1 to D3. Although the adjustment principles described herein are presented with reference to the interface monitoring assembly of the centrifuge 16, it should be understood that similar principles may be applied to other detection assemblies D1 to D3, as well as detection assemblies with configurations different from those described herein.

[0041] One of the detection assemblies includes a centrifuge outlet sensor D1 for determining one or more characteristics of the fluid flowing out of the centrifuge 16. If the fluid flowing out of the centrifuge 16 contains red blood cells, the centrifuge outlet sensor D1 may be configured to determine the hematocrit value of the fluid. If the fluid flowing out of the centrifuge 16 is platelet-rich plasma, the centrifuge outlet sensor D1 may be configured to determine the platelet concentration of the platelet-rich plasma. The centrifuge outlet sensor D1 can detect one or more characteristics of the fluid by optically monitoring the fluid as it flows through the tube of the fluid flow circuit 12, or by any other suitable approach. The control unit 18 can receive a signal indicating one or more characteristics of the fluid flowing out of the centrifuge 16 from the centrifuge outlet sensor D1 and use that signal to optimize the procedure based on that characteristic.

[0042] Another one of the detection assemblies includes a rotor outlet sensor D2 that houses a tube of the fluid flow circuit 12 through which the fluid component separated from the rotary membrane separator 26 of the fluid flow circuit 12 flows out.

[0043] The third of the detection assemblies includes an air detector D3 (e.g., an ultrasonic bubble detector) that houses the tubes of the fluid flow circuit 12 that flows fluid to the recipient. Since it may be advantageous to prevent air from reaching the recipient, the air detector D3 can send a signal indicating the presence or absence of air in the tube to the control unit 18. If the signal indicates that air is present in the tube, the control unit 18 can initiate a warning or error state to alert the operator of the condition and / or take corrective measures to prevent air from reaching the recipient (e.g., by reversing the flow of fluid through the tube or diverting the flow to an exhaust position).

[0044] D. Control Unit As described above, the fluid processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 18 that is suitably configured and / or programmed to control the operation of the fluid processing apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the control unit 18 comprises a main processing unit (MPU) that can include, for example, a Pentium (trademark) type microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation, although other types of conventional microprocessors can be used. In one embodiment, the control unit 18 can be mounted inside a substantially vertical portion 24 of the case 20 adjacent to or incorporated into an operator interface station (e.g., a touch screen). In other embodiments, the control unit 18 and the operator interface station can be associated with a substantially horizontal portion 22 or incorporated into a separate device that is connected (physically by cables, etc. or wirelessly) to the fluid processing apparatus 10.

[0045] The control unit 18 is configured and / or programmed to execute at least one fluid processing application, and more preferably, is configured and / or programmed to execute a variety of different fluid processing applications. For example, the control unit 18 can be configured and / or programmed to execute one or more of the following: a double unit red blood cell collection procedure, a plasma collection procedure, a plasma / red blood cell collection procedure, a red blood cell / platelet / plasma collection procedure, a platelet collection procedure, a platelet / plasma collection procedure, and a mononuclear cell collection procedure. The application of additional or alternative procedures (e.g., plasma exchange, red blood cell exchange, and photopheresis) can be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] More specifically, when executing any one of these fluid processing applications, the control unit 18 is configured and / or programmed to control one or more of the following tasks: drawing the fluid mounted in the fluid processing device 10 into the fluid flow circuit 12, transporting the fluid through the fluid flow circuit 12 to a position for separation (i.e., the rotary membrane separator 26 or the centrifugal separation chamber 23 of the fluid flow circuit 12), separating the fluid into two or more desired components, and transporting the separated components to a storage container, to a second position for further separation (e.g., either the rotary membrane separator 26 or the centrifugal separation chamber 32 not used in the first separation stage), or to a recipient (which can be the fluid source from which the fluid was originally drawn).

[0047] This can include instructing the rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 and / or the centrifuge 16 to operate at a specific rotational speed, and instructing the pump to transport the fluid through a part of the fluid flow circuit 12 at a specific flow rate. Therefore, in this specification, it can be described that a specific component of the fluid processing device 10 (e.g., the rotary membrane separator drive unit 14 or the centrifuge 16) executes a specific function, but it should be understood that the component is controlled by the control unit 18 to execute the function.

[0048] Before, during, and after processing, the control unit 18 can receive signals from various components of the fluid processing apparatus 10 to monitor various aspects of the operation of the fluid processing apparatus 10, as well as the characteristics of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow circuit 12 and the separated fluid components. If the operation of any of the components and / or one or more characteristics of the fluid or separated fluid components are outside the allowable range, the control unit 18 can initiate a warning or error state to warn the operator and / or execute the following actions to attempt to correct the situation. Appropriate corrective measures may include measures that depend on the specific error state and are executed with or without operator involvement.

[0049] For example, the control unit 18 may include an interface control module that receives signals from the photodetector 52 of the interface monitoring assembly and the centrifuge outlet sensor D1. The signal received by the control unit 18 from the photodetector 52 indicates the position of the interface between the separated fluid components in the centrifuge chamber 32, while the signal from the centrifuge outlet sensor D1 indicates whether the target interface position should be adjusted. If the control unit 18 determines that the interface is in the wrong place, it can issue commands to the appropriate components of the fluid processing apparatus 10 to change their operation to move the interface to the appropriate place. For example, the control unit 18 can instruct the pump to cause blood to flow into the centrifuge chamber 32 at different speeds and / or to cause the separated fluid components to be removed from the centrifuge chamber 32 at different speeds, and / or can instruct the centrifuge 16 to rotate the centrifuge chamber 32 at different speeds.

[0050] As will be described in more detail, if the control unit 18 determines that the performance of the detection assembly is improved by adjusting one or more components of the detection assembly, the control unit 18 can issue a command to adjust such components as necessary.

[0051] II. Disposable Fluid Flow Circuit A. Overview With respect to the fluid flow circuit or flow set 12 (Figure 2), it is intended to be a sterile, single-use, disposable item. Before initiating a given procedure, the operator loads the various components of the fluid flow circuit 12 of the case 20 associated with the fluid processing device 10. Care should be taken when attaching the fluid flow circuit 12 to the fluid processing device 10 because the proper operation of the various detection assemblies of the fluid processing device 10 may depend on the proper orientation of the fluid flow circuit 12 with respect to the detection assemblies. However, if one or more components of the fluid flow circuit 12 are not properly oriented with respect to the associated detection assemblies of the fluid processing device 10, one or more components of that detection assembly may be adjusted to improve the performance of the detection assembly. Although improper installation or mismatching of the fluid flow circuit 12 can be a common reason for adjusting the components of the detection assembly, it should be understood that there are other reasons, and the principles described herein are not limited to use in fluid processing systems that use disposable fluid flow circuits.

[0052] Once the fluid flow circuit 12 is attached to the fluid processing device 10, the control unit 18 performs a procedure based on a pre-set protocol, taking into account other inputs from the operator. When the procedure is complete, the operator disconnects the fluid flow circuit 12 from the connection with the fluid processing device 10. The portion of the fluid flow circuit 12 that holds the collected fluid components (e.g., collection container or bag) is removed from the case 20 and held for storage, immediate use, or further processing. The remaining portion of the fluid flow circuit 12 is removed from the case 20 and discarded.

[0053] Depending on the procedures executed using the system, various different disposable fluid flow circuits can be used in combination with the fluid processing apparatus 10, along with an appropriate fluid flow circuit. Generally speaking, however, the fluid flow circuit 12 includes a cassette 48 (FIG. 4) in which other components of the fluid flow circuit 12 are connected by flexible tubing. In one embodiment, the cassette 48 is configured similarly to the cassette of U.S. Patent No. 5,868,696 (incorporated herein by reference), but is adapted to include additional components (e.g., more tubing loops T1 - T6) and functions.

[0054] Other components may include a plurality of fluid containers F1 - F8 (for holding, e.g., the fluid to be processed, separated fluid components, intravenous fluid, or additive solution), one or more fluid source access devices (e.g., connectors for accessing the fluid within the fluid containers), and the rotary membrane separator 26 and / or the centrifugal chamber 32 (FIG. 2).

[0055] B. Centrifugal Chamber An exemplary centrifugal chamber 32 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and FIG. 10 illustrates the fluid flow path defined by the centrifugal chamber 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the body of the centrifugal chamber 32 is preformed from a rigid biocompatible plastic material such as unplasticized medical grade acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene (ABS) (e.g., by injection molding) into the desired shape and configuration. All outer shapes, ports, channels, and walls that affect the fluid separation process are performed in a single injection molding operation. Alternatively, the centrifugal chamber 32 can be formed by separate molded parts by nesting either a cup - shaped sub - assembly or two symmetrical halves.

[0056] The lower side of the centrifuge chamber 32 includes a shaped receptacle 56 suitable for receiving the end of the umbilicus 46 of the fluid flow circuit 12 (FIG. 3). A suitable receptacle 56, and a method in which the umbilicus 46 cooperates with the receptacle 56 to deliver fluid to and remove fluid from the centrifuge chamber 32, are described in further detail in U.S. Patent No. 8,075,468.

[0057] The illustrated centrifuge chamber 32 has radially spaced inner (low g) and outer (high g) side wall portions 58, 60, a bottom or first end wall portion 62, and a cover or second end wall portion 64. The cover 64 comprises a simple flat portion that can be readily welded or otherwise secured to the body of the centrifuge chamber 32. The wall portions 58, 60, the bottom 62, and the cover 64 together define an enclosed, generally annular channel 66 (FIG. 10).

[0058] An inlet 68 in communication with the channel 66 is defined between opposing inner radial walls 70, 72. One of the inner walls 70 joins the outer (high g) wall portion 60 and separates the upstream and downstream ends of the channel 66. The inner walls 70, 72 define an inlet passage 68 of the centrifuge chamber 32, which in one flow configuration allows fluid to flow from the umbilicus 46 to the upstream end of the channel 66.

[0059] The illustrated centrifuge chamber 32 further includes a first outlet 74 and a second outlet 76, respectively, which can be defined by opposing surfaces of the inner radial walls. Both the first outlet 74 and the second outlet 76 extend radially inwardly from the channel 66. The first outlet 74, in the illustrated embodiment, extends radially inwardly from an opening located in the inner side wall portion 58, while the second outlet 76 extends radially inwardly from an opening associated with the outer side wall portion 60. The illustrated first outlet 74 is disposed adjacent to the inlet 68 (near the upstream end of the channel 66), and the second outlet 76 can be disposed at the downstream end on the opposite side of the channel 66.

[0060] The centrifugation chamber 32 illustrated in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and it should be understood that the centrifugation chamber 32 can be configured differently without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, International Publication No. WO2018 / 053217A1 of the PCT application describes other exemplary centrifugation chamber configurations. Further, as described above, the principle regarding the adjustment of the components of the detection assembly is described herein in the context of a detection assembly that monitors fluid separation within the centrifugation chamber 32, but it should be understood that such a principle is applicable to a detection assembly configured to monitor other objects.

[0061] 1. Principles of Centrifugation and Interface Detection The fluid flowing into channel 66 separates into an optically dense layer "R" and an optically less dense layer "P" (FIGS. 11 - 13) when the centrifugation chamber 32 rotates about the axis of rotation 38. The optically dense layer R is formed as larger and / or heavier fluid particles move towards the outer (high g) wall portion 60 under the influence of centrifugal force. If the fluid being separated is blood, the optically dense layer R typically contains red blood cells, but depending on the speed at which the centrifugation chamber 32 rotates, other cell components (e.g., larger white blood cells) may also be present in the optically dense layer R.

[0062] If the fluid being separated is blood, the optically less dense layer P typically contains plasma components such as platelet - rich plasma or platelet - poor plasma. Depending on the speed at which the centrifugation chamber 32 rotates and the length of time the blood is present there, other components (e.g., smaller white blood cells and anticoagulants) may also be present in the optically less dense layer P.

[0063] In one embodiment, the fluid introduced into the channel 66 through the inlet 68 moves in a generally clockwise direction (the orientation of FIG. 8) when the optically dense layer R separates from the optically less dense layer P. The optically dense layer R continues to move in a clockwise direction as it moves from the upstream end to the downstream end along the outer sidewall portion 60 of the channel 66, where it exits the channel 66 through the second outlet 76. The optically less dense layer P, separated from the optically dense layer R, reverses direction and moves counterclockwise along the inner sidewall portion 58 to the first outlet 74 adjacent to the inlet 68.

[0064] The transition between the optically dense layer R and the optically less dense layer P can be referred to as an interface "N". When the fluid to be separated is blood, the interface N contains mononuclear cells and peripheral blood stem cells. The position of the interface N within the channel 66 of the centrifugation chamber 32 can shift dynamically during fluid processing, as shown in FIGS. 11 - 13. If the position of the interface N is too high (i.e., if it is too close to the inner sidewall portion 58 and the first outlet 74, as in FIG. 12), red blood cells can flow into the first outlet 74, which can negatively affect the quality of the low-density component (platelet-rich plasma or platelet-poor plasma). On the other hand, if the position of the interface N is too low (i.e., if the interface N is too far from the inner wall portion 58, as shown in FIG. 13), the collection efficiency of the system can be impaired. The ideal or target interface position can be determined experimentally and can vary depending on any of several factors, such as the configuration of the centrifugation chamber 32, the speed at which the centrifugation chamber 32 rotates around the axis of rotation 38, etc.

[0065] As described above, the fluid processing apparatus 10 may include an interface monitoring assembly (including the light source 50 and the photodetector 52), a centrifuge outlet sensor D1, and a control unit 18 with an interface control module for monitoring and, if necessary, adjusting or correcting the position of the interface N. In the illustrated embodiment, the centrifuge chamber 32 is formed with an inclined path 78 extending at an angle α from the high g wall portion 60 across at least a portion of the channel 66 (FIGS. 8 and 11-13). In one embodiment, the angle α measured with respect to the axis of rotation 38 is about 25°. FIGS. 11-13 show the orientation of the inclined path 78 when viewed from the low g side wall portion 58 of the centrifuge chamber 32. Although it describes a flexible separation chamber, the general structure and function of the inclined path 78 can be better understood by referring to U.S. Patent No. 5,632,893, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] The inclined path 78 makes the interface N between the optically dense layer R and the optically less dense layer P more distinguishable for detection and displays the optically dense layer R, the optically less dense layer P, and the interface N for viewing through the light transmissive portion of the centrifuge chamber 32. To that end, the inclined path 78 and at least a portion of the centrifuge chamber 32 angularly aligned with the inclined path 78 may be formed of a light transmissive material, although it may be advantageous for the entire centrifuge chamber 32 to be formed of the same light transmissive material.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 50 of the interface monitoring system is associated with a fixture or wall of the centrifuge compartment 34 and is oriented to emit light L directed toward the axis of rotation 38 of the centrifuge 16, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. When the photodetector 52 is arranged at an angle with respect to the light source 50 (as in the illustrated embodiment), the light L emitted by the light source 50 must be redirected from its initial path before reaching the photodetector 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the light L is redirected by a reflector associated with the light transmissive portion of the inner sidewall portion 58, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The reflector can be a separate component fixed to the inner sidewall portion 58 (e.g., by coupling thereto) or can be integrally formed with the body of the centrifuge chamber 66.

[0068] In one embodiment, the reflector can be a reflective surface, such as a mirror, oriented (e.g., at an angle of 45°) to direct the light L emitted by the light source 50 toward the photodetector 52. In another embodiment, the reflector is formed of a light transmissive material (e.g., a transparent plastic material) and is provided as a prism reflector 80 (FIGS. 7, 14, 15) having an inner wall 82 and an outer wall 84 and a first end wall 86 and a second end wall 88 (FIG. 14). The inner wall 82 is disposed with respect to the inner sidewall portion 58 of the centrifuge chamber 32 and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the initial path of the light L from the light source 50. Thereby, the light L from the light source 50 can enter the prism reflector 80 through the inner wall 82 while continuing along its initial path. The light L continues to pass through the prism reflector 80 along its initial path until it encounters the first end wall 86. The first end wall 86 is oriented at an angle (e.g., an angle of about 45°) with respect to the inner wall 82 and the second end wall 88 and redirects the light L not out of the prism reflector 80 through the first end wall 86 but back into the prism reflector 80.

[0069] The first end wall 86 directs the light L at an angle with respect to its initial path (which can be an angle of about 90° that redirects it from a path towards the axis of rotation 38 to a path perpendicular to the axis of rotation 38) towards the second end wall 88 (FIG. 15). The first end wall 86, inner wall 82, and outer wall 84 of the prism reflector 80 can be configured to transmit the light L redirected in direction from the first end wall 86 towards the second end wall 88 by total internal reflection. The second end wall 88 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the redirected path of the light L passing through the prism reflector 80 such that the light L exits the prism reflector 80 through the second end wall 88 and continues along its redirected path. In one embodiment, the second end wall 88 is roughened or textured or otherwise processed or conditioned to diffuse the light L when it exits the prism reflector 80, making it more likely that the light L reaches the photodetector 52 (FIG. 7).

[0070] The prism reflector 80 can be angularly aligned with the inclined path 78 such that light L from the light source 50 enters the prism reflector 80 only when the inclined path 78 is rotated into the path of the light L. At all other times (when the inclined path 78 is not in the path of the light L), the light L does not reach the prism reflector 80 and thus does not reach the photodetector 52.

[0071] When the inclined path 78 is first rotated into the path of the light L from the light source 50, the light L begins to reach the prism reflector 80 which directs the light L towards the photodetector 52. This causes the voltage output of the photodetector 52 (i.e., the signal transmitted from the photodetector 52 to the control unit 18) to increase to a non-zero value or state. The inclined path 78 and the prism reflector 80 are ultimately rotated out of alignment with the light source 50, at which point the light L does not reach the prism reflector 80 and the voltage output of the photodetector 52 returns to a low or zero state.

[0072] While the inclined path 78 and the prism reflector 80 rotate through the path of the light L from the light source 50, the light L continues through the channel 66 and the fluid within the channel 66. At least a portion of the light L (i.e., the portion not absorbed or reflected by the fluid) exits the channel 66 by impinging on and entering through the light transmissive portion of the inner wall portion 58. The light L passes through the inner sidewall portion 58 and enters the prism reflector 80, which redirects the light L from its initial path towards the photodetector 52 as described above.

[0073] The photodetector 52 generates a signal that is transmitted to the interface control module of the control unit 18, which can determine the position of the interface N on the inclined path 78. In one embodiment, the position of the interface N is related to the change in the amount of light L passing through the optically less dense layer P and the optically denser layer R. For example, the light source 50 can be configured to emit red visible light (from a laser or light of a different configuration) that is more readily transmitted by platelet-rich plasma or platelet-poor plasma than by red blood cells (such as red blood cells from a laser or light source L of a different configuration), which is substantially absorbed by red blood cells. The optically less dense layer P and the optically denser layer R each occupy a specific portion of the inclined path 78, and the photodetector 52 receives different amounts of light L depending on whether the light L passes through the optically less dense layer P on the inclined path 78 or the optically denser layer R on the inclined path 78. The percentage of the inclined path 78 occupied by each layer is related to the position of the interface N within the channel 66. Thus, by measuring the time when the voltage output or signal from the photodetector 52 is relatively high (corresponding to the time when the light L passes only through the optically less dense layer P on the inclined path 78), the control unit 18 can determine the position of the interface N and, if necessary, perform steps to correct the position of the interface N. An exemplary approach for adjusting the position of the interface N is described in more detail in International Publication No. WO2018 / 053217A1 of the PCT application.

[0074] 2. Adjustment of the Components of the Detection Assembly It will be appreciated that the light L from the light source 50 must reach the photodetector 52 in order to determine (and adjust) the position of the interface N. The initial or initial-setting orientation and position of the light source 50 and the photodetector 52 assume a specific orientation and position of the prism reflector 80 that depends on the proper installation and orientation of the centrifugal separation chamber 32 into the centrifugal separation compartment 34. Thus, if the centrifugal separation chamber 32 is not properly installed and oriented, the prism reflector 80 may not be able to properly direct the light L from the light source 50 to the photodetector 52. Even when the centrifugal separation chamber 32 is properly installed and oriented, the prism reflector 80 may not be ideally positioned and / or oriented to direct the light L from the light source 50 to the photodetector 52 (e.g., due to a defect in the configuration of the centrifugal separation chamber 32).

[0075] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the interface monitoring assembly includes an adjustment system 90 (FIG. 16) associated with the light source 50 and configured to adjust the position and / or orientation of the light source 50 relative to the portion of the centrifugal separation compartment 34 with which the light source 50 is associated. The adjustment system 90 can be configured in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, but in the illustrated embodiment, it includes three elongated legs 92 fixed to the wall or surface of the centrifugal separation compartment 34. The three legs 92 are arranged in an equilateral triangle, are substantially parallel to each other, and extend orthogonally from the wall of the centrifugal separation compartment 34. A void or opening 94 is provided in the wall of the centrifugal separation compartment 34 in the space between the legs 92, whereby the light L from the light source 50 can pass through the wall of the centrifugal separation compartment 34 and reach the centrifugal separation chamber 34 installed within the centrifugal separation compartment 34.

[0076] Each leg 92 includes an associated support 96 that is movable along at least a portion of the length of the leg 92 toward and away from the wall of the centrifugal separation compartment 34. The support 96 can be movable by any suitable drive mechanism such as a motor, and the supports 96 are movable independently of each other.

[0077] Each support 96 includes an arm 98 that extends between the support 96 and the light source 50. The end of each arm 98 is pivotally connected to the light source 50 and the associated support 96 to enable adjustment of the position of the light source 50 relative to the support 96. With this arrangement, the light source 50 can be moved to a wide range of positions within the three-dimensional space defined between the legs 92, and each support 96 can be moved to a position along its respective leg 92 that is necessary to correspond to the desired position relative to the light source 50. In addition to enabling adjustment of the position of the light source 50 relative to the wall associated with the centrifugation compartment 34, the illustrated arrangement also enables adjustment of the orientation of the light source 50 relative to the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34 such that the light source 50 can be arranged to emit light L at various angles through the void or opening 94.

[0078] In addition to (or instead of) any adjustment system associated with the light source 50, an adjustment system can be associated with the photodetector 52 and configured to adjust the position and / or orientation of the photodetector 52 relative to the position of the centrifugation compartment 34 with which the photodetection unit 52 is associated. The adjustment system associated with the photodetector 52 can be configured in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 17, the adjustment system 100 includes a frame 102 connected to the wall or surface of the centrifugation compartment 34. The frame 102 includes two substantially parallel legs 104 that extend orthogonally from the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34 and has a crossbar 106 that extends between the legs 104. A void or opening 108 is provided in the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34 in the space between the legs 104 to enable light L to pass through the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34 and reach the photodetector 52.

[0079] The upper end of each leg 104 (in the orientation of FIG. 17) is associated with a track to enable the frame 102 to move in a direction across the length of the crossbar 106. The frame 102 can be moved along the track by any suitable drive mechanism such as a motor. This direction of movement can be understood as movement in the "x" direction of a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0080] The photodetector 52 is associated with the crossbar 106 by a support 110 that is movable along at least a portion of the length of the crossbar 106, toward and away from the legs 104 at each end of the crossbar 106. The support 110 can be movable by any suitable drive mechanism such as a motor. This direction of movement can be understood as movement in the "y" direction of a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0081] In one embodiment, the crossbar 106 is configured to move toward and away from the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34 and along at least a portion of the length of the legs 104. In another embodiment, the crossbar 106 can be fixedly secured to the legs 104, while the support 110 (or a portion thereof) is movable relative to the crossbar 106 in a direction parallel to the length of the legs 104, toward and away from the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34. In either case, such movement can be implemented by any suitable drive mechanism such as a motor. This direction of movement can be understood as movement in the "z" direction of a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0082] Thus, the illustrated configuration enables the photodetector 52 to be moved to a wide range of positions within the three-dimensional space above the void or opening 108 defined in the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34. In addition to enabling adjustment of the position of the photodetector 52 relative to the associated wall of the centrifugation compartment 34, the illustrated arrangement can also enable the orientation of the photodetector 52 relative to the wall of the centrifugation compartment 34 to be adjusted. This can be achieved, for example, by enabling the support 110 or a portion thereof to pivot relative to the crossbar 106, thereby enabling the photodetector 52 to be positioned to receive light L through the void or opening 108 at various angles.

[0083] The adjustment systems 90, 100 of FIGS. 16 and 17 are merely illustrative, and it should be understood that an adjustment system for adjusting the source and detector positions and / or orientations of a detection assembly can be configured differently without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, an adjustment system of the type shown in FIG. 17 can be used in combination with a light source, while an adjustment system of the type shown in FIG. 16 can be used in combination with a detector. In other embodiments, the adjustment system can be configured to adjust only the position of the source or detector (without adjusting the orientation of the source or detector), or to adjust only the orientation of the source or detector (without adjusting the position of the source or detector). Further, adjusting the orientation of the source or detector is not limited to adjusting the angle or tilt of the source or detector, and can also include rotating the source or detector about its central axis. The adjustment of the light source or detector of a detection assembly is not limited to a detection assembly that uses light, and it should also be understood that it can be used in combination with a detection assembly that transmits other signals from the source to the detector (e.g., an ultrasonic detection assembly).

[0084] An adjustment system associated with the detection assembly can be controlled by the control unit 18 of the fluid treatment device 10. The source and detector of the detection assembly can be provided in an initial position and an initial orientation. If the control unit 18 determines that it is desirable to relocate and / or reorient the source and / or the detector, the control unit 18 can issue commands to the appropriate drive mechanisms of the associated adjustment system to move the source and / or the detector to a new position and / or orientation. The control unit 18 can determine that it is desirable to relocate and / or reorient the components of the detection assembly according to any suitable approach. In one embodiment, the control unit 18 can receive a signal from the detector that is compared with an expected signal. In the case of the interface monitoring assembly, the physiological saline can be carried through the fluid flow circuit 12 attached to the fluid treatment device 10 and the fluid flow circuit 12 can be primed. The light L transmitted to the photodetector 52 has specific characteristics, and as a result, a specific signal is transmitted from the photodetector 52 to the control unit 18. If the nature of the light L received by the photodetector 52 is different from the nature of the light L expected to be received by the photodetector 52 after the light L has passed through the physiological saline, there is a difference between one or more corresponding characteristics of the signal actually transmitted from the photodetection unit 52 to the control unit 18 and the expected signal (e.g., the voltage of the signal). If one or more characteristics of the signal are different from the corresponding characteristics of the expected signal, the control unit 18 can determine that the performance of the detection assembly can be improved by adjusting the position and / or orientation of the source and / or the detector.

[0085] Alternatively, rather than comparing the signal from the detector to a predicted signal, the control unit 18 may instead be configured to issue commands to the appropriate drive mechanisms of the associated adjustment system to move the source and / or detector to various new positions and / or orientations. During this repositioning and / or reorientation, the source continues to transmit a signal that is at least partially received by the detector, and the detector transmits a signal indicating the nature of the signal received by the detector to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 monitors the signal transmitted from the detector to determine when the signal has optimal characteristics (e.g., when the signal has a maximum voltage), and then commands the adjustment system to move the source and / or detector to the position and / or orientation that results in the optimal signal. Performing such adjustment procedures (other than those performed on the components of the detection assembly) before fluid processing begins may be advantageous to avoid introducing factors that tend to change the nature of the signals transmitted and received by the detector. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for such adjustment procedures to occur during fluid processing, particularly when a steady state has been reached.

[0086] Often, the need to adjust the position and / or orientation of components of the detection assembly arises for the alignment of components of the fluid flow circuit 12 attached to the fluid treatment apparatus 10. Thus, in another embodiment, the detection assembly may be configured to send an orientation signal to the control unit 18, which signal may indicate the position and / or orientation of the components of the fluid flow circuit 12. If the orientation signal indicates to the control unit 18 that the performance of the detection assembly is improved by adjusting the position and / or orientation of any component of the detection assembly, the control unit 18 may instruct an appropriate adjustment system to position and / or orient such component appropriately. In one embodiment, the components of the fluid flow circuit may comprise one or more markers that indicate the orientation of the components when attached to the fluid treatment apparatus. The detection assembly determines the position of the markers and transmits that information as an orientation signal to the control unit of the fluid treatment apparatus. If the control unit determines that one or more markers are not properly positioned (e.g., by comparing the orientation signal to an expected signal), the control unit instructs an appropriate adjustment system to position and / or orient the components of the detection assembly appropriately. For example, if the markers are oriented around a square at the target position of a component to receive a signal from a source, the control unit can relocate and / or reorient the source to align the source with the target position at the center of the square defined by the markers. Other indicia other than markers (e.g., regions of components of the fluid flow circuit having a specific thickness that uniquely affects the amount of light received by a detector) and other approaches can be used to determine the position and orientation of the components of the fluid flow circuit.

[0087] Even when the monitored components of the fluid flow circuit 12 are properly installed, it may be appropriate to adjust the position and / or orientation of one or more components of the detection assembly. For example, if the fluid processing apparatus is configured to perform various procedures, the fluid flow circuits specific to each procedure may be configured differently in a way that requires adjustment of the position and / or orientation of at least one component of the detection assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, this may include centrifugal separation chambers of different configurations with prism reflectors of different configurations, and at least two of the centrifugal separation chambers are optimally monitored by the same detection assembly having components in different positions and / or orientations.

[0088] Since the alignment and configuration of the components of the fluid flow circuit 12 tend not to change during the procedure, adjustment of the detection assembly may be sufficient to be performed once, such as during the calibration phase of the procedure. For example, after the fluid flow circuit 12 is attached to the fluid processing apparatus 10 and before the fluid flow circuit 12 is primed, adjustments can be made to one or more detection assemblies. In another embodiment, the adjustment is made during other initial stages of the procedure, such as while the fluid flow circuit 12 is being primed. Once the necessary adjustments are made, the position and orientation of the detection assembly can be fixed with respect to the associated structure or components of the fluid processing apparatus for the remainder of the procedure. However, although usually it is sufficient to make the adjustment only once, if the position and / or orientation of the components of the fluid flow circuit change unexpectedly during the procedure, multiple adjustments to the components of the detection assembly during the procedure, as needed, may also be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0089] Rather than (or in addition to) adjusting the position and / or orientation of the entire source or detector, the adjustment system may be configured to adjust the position and / or orientation of components of the source or detector relative to other components of the same device. For example, in the case of a light source configured to emit light, the lens of the light source may be repositioned and / or reoriented relative to other components of the light source to change its focus. Other dynamic adjustments to individual components of the source or detector may also be controlled by the control unit 18 using a particular configuration of the associated adjustment system, depending on the nature of the adjustments being made to the components. It should be understood that the above approach to determining the need for adjustments to the source or detector and then implementing such adjustments is equally applicable to the adjustment of individual components of the source or detector. Thus, the position and / or orientation of the entire source or detector can be adjusted during the procedure (e.g., during a calibration step and / or during a fluid separation step), while at the same time adjustments can also be made to individual components of the source or detector.

[0090] The detection assembly of the illustrated fluid processing apparatus 10 is associated with a stationary component or structure of the fluid processing apparatus 10, but the adjustment principles described herein can be used in combination with a detection assembly having components associated with a movable component of the fluid processing apparatus. Thus, the adjustment of the position and / or orientation of the components of the detection assembly by the operation of the adjustment system according to the present disclosure is different from the changes in position and orientation that occur when such components are incorporated into a movable component or structure of the fluid processing apparatus. Instead, the adjustment occurs when the position and / or orientation of such components of the detection assembly are adjusted relative to the component or structure of the fluid processing apparatus associated with the elements of the detection assembly. For example, when the light source 50 of the interface monitoring assembly is incorporated into the yoke member 44, the movement of the entire yoke member 44 during the fluid separation procedure would not be considered an adjustment of the position and / or orientation of the light source 50 performed by the adjustment system according to the present disclosure. Instead, the adjustment system would be configured to relocate and / or reorient the light source 50 relative to the yoke member 44 itself.

[0091] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the nature of the signal emitted by the light source 50 can be adjusted. For example, if the light source 50 is provided as a light source configured to emit light having a single wavelength (or light having a plurality of wavelengths within a specific range), the adjustment system can be configured to adjust the light source 50 to emit light having a different wavelength (or light having a plurality of wavelengths in a different range). This can be achieved, for example, by providing a plurality of light sources (e.g., a plurality of lasers configured to emit light of different colors), where only one is active at a time. If it is determined that different types of light are advantageous (e.g., based on feedback from the control unit 18 indicating different fluid properties to be evaluated or that different light may improve the performance of the detection assembly), the control unit 18 can instruct the adjustment system to deactivate one light source and activate another. This can include swapping the positions of two light sources or moving a first light source out of position and moving a second light source into the position previously occupied by the first light source. In such a configuration, any number of light sources can be provided. This is one possible approach for adjusting the nature of the signal emitted by the light source 50, and it should be understood that other approaches can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that depending on the specific mechanism used to adjust the nature of the signal, such an adjustment can be considered an adjustment of the position and / or orientation of the light source 50.

[0092] Similarly, just as the properties of the signal emitted by the light source 50 can be adjusted, the properties of the detector 52 can be adjusted by the adjustment system according to the present disclosure. For example, if the detector 50 is provided as a photodetector configured to analyze light having a single wavelength (or light having a plurality of wavelengths within a specific range), the adjustment system can be configured to adjust the photodetector 50 to analyze light having different wavelengths (or light having a plurality of wavelengths within different ranges). This can be achieved, for example, by providing a plurality of filters each configured to remove light of a different wavelength. If it is determined that it is advantageous to analyze different wavelengths or wavelength ranges of light (e.g., based on different fluid properties to be evaluated, or feedback from the control unit 18 indicating that analyzing different wavelengths or wavelength ranges may improve the performance of the detection assembly), the control unit 18 can instruct the adjustment system to replace one filter with another (or, if a filter is not currently in use, to use the filter). This includes swapping the positions of two filters, moving the first filter out of position, and moving the second filter to the position previously occupied by the first filter. This adjustment can also include using any number of filters such that the control unit 18 can instruct the adjustment system to activate two or more filters simultaneously, or to instruct the adjustment system to deactivate all filters. This is one possible approach for adjusting the properties of the detector 52, and it should be understood that other approaches can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that depending on the specific mechanism used to adjust the properties of the detector 52, such adjustment may be considered an adjustment of the position and / or orientation of the detector 52.

[0093] Aspect Aspect 1. A fluid processing apparatus comprising a detection assembly and a control unit, wherein the detection assembly includes a supply source and a detector. The supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, and configured to emit a signal. The detector is associated with the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, and configured to receive at least a part of the signal. The detection assembly further includes an adjustment system associated with the supply source and / or an adjustment system associated with the detector. In the adjustment system associated with the supply source, the control unit is configured to control the adjustment system to adjust the position and / or orientation of the supply source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or orientation of the component of the supply source with respect to another component of the supply source. In the adjustment system associated with the detector, the control unit is configured to control the adjustment system to adjust the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or orientation of the component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector.

[0094] Aspect 2. The fluid processing apparatus according to Aspect 1, wherein the supply source is associated with a stationary component of the fluid processing apparatus.

[0095] Aspect 3. The fluid processing apparatus according to Aspect 1, wherein the supply source is associated with a movable component of the fluid processing apparatus.

[0096] Aspect 4. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the detector is associated with a stationary structure of the fluid processing apparatus.

[0097] Aspect 5. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the detector is associated with a movable structure of the fluid processing apparatus.

[0098] Aspect 6. The control unit receives a signal from the detector, compares the signal from the detector with the expected signal from the detector, and, if the signal from the detector has the characteristic of being smaller than the corresponding expected signal, adjusts the position and / or orientation of the source relative to the components of the fluid processing apparatus and / or adjusts the position and / or orientation of the components of the source relative to another component of the source by controlling an adjustment system associated with the source, and / or adjusts the position and / or orientation of the detector relative to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or adjusts the position and / or orientation of the components of the detector relative to another component of the detector by controlling an adjustment system associated with the detector. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5.

[0099] Aspect 7. The fluid processing apparatus is configured to accommodate a fluid flow path for guiding a fluid flow through the fluid processing apparatus. The control unit receives an orientation signal indicating the position and / or orientation of an element of a fluid flow circuit associated with the fluid processing apparatus, determines whether the position and / or orientation of a component of the fluid flow circuit is different from the expected position and / or expected orientation, and, if the position and / or orientation of a component of the fluid flow circuit is different from the expected position and / or expected orientation, adjusts the position and / or orientation of the source relative to the components of the fluid processing apparatus and / or adjusts the position and / or orientation of the components of the source relative to another component of the source by controlling an adjustment system associated with the source, and / or adjusts the position and / or orientation of the detector relative to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or adjusts the position and / or orientation of the components of the detector relative to another component of the detector by controlling an adjustment system associated with the detector. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6.

[0100] Aspect 8. The adjustment system associated with the source is configured to adjust the position of the source and / or the components of the source in three dimensions. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7.

[0101] Aspect 9. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein the adjustment system associated with the detector is configured to adjust the position of the detector and / or the components of the detector in three dimensions.

[0102] Aspect 10. The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the supply source comprises a light source and the detector comprises a photodetector.

[0103] Aspect 11. The fluid processing apparatus according to Aspect 10, wherein the components of the supply source comprise a lens.

[0104] Aspect 12. A method for monitoring a fluid and / or fluid components in a fluid processing apparatus including a supply source and a detector, wherein the supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus and is provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, the detector is associated with the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and is provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, the fluid processing apparatus further comprises a control unit, the method including emitting a signal from the supply source to the fluid and / or fluid components in the fluid processing apparatus, at least a part of the signal being received by the detector, and the control unit adjusting the position and / or orientation of the supply source with respect to an element of the fluid processing apparatus, the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, the position and / or orientation of an element of the supply source with respect to another element of the supply source, and / or the position and / or orientation of an element of the detector with respect to another element of the detector.

[0105] Aspect 13. The method according to Aspect 12, wherein the supply source is stationary while emitting the signal.

[0106] Aspect 14. The method according to Aspect 12, wherein the supply source is moving while emitting the signal.

[0107] Aspect 15. The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 14, wherein the detector is stationary while receiving at least a part of the signal.

[0108] Aspect 16. The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 14, wherein the detector is moving while receiving at least a part of the signal.

[0109] Aspect 17. The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 16, further comprising: the control unit compares the signal from the detector with the expected signal from the detector, and if the signal from the detector has a characteristic that is smaller than the corresponding expected signal, the control unit adjusts the position and / or orientation of the source with respect to the components of the fluid processing device and / or the position and / or orientation of the components of the source with respect to another component of the source and / or the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing device and / or the position and / or orientation of the components of the detector with respect to another component of the detector so as to increase the characteristic of the signal from the detector.

[0110] Aspect 18. The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 17, wherein the fluid processing device is configured to accommodate a fluid flow circuit for guiding the flow of fluid through the fluid processing device, and further comprising: the control unit determines whether the position and / or orientation of the elements of the fluid flow circuit accommodated by the fluid processing device is different from the expected position and / or orientation, and if the position and / or orientation of the elements of the fluid flow circuit is different from the expected position and / or orientation, the control unit adjusts the position and / or orientation of the source with respect to the components of the fluid processing device and / or the position and / or orientation of the components of the source with respect to another component of the source and / or the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing device and / or the position and / or orientation of the components of the detector with respect to another component of the detector so as to take into account the position and / or orientation of the elements of the fluid flow circuit.

[0111] Aspect 19. The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 18, wherein the source comprises a light source and the detector comprises a photodetector.

[0112] Aspect 20. The method according to aspect 19, wherein the component of the supply source comprises a lens.

[0113] It will be understood that the above-described embodiments and examples are illustrative of some applications of the principles of the present subject matter. Numerous modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, including combinations of features disclosed or claimed individually herein. For these reasons, the scope of this specification is not limited to the above description, but is as set forth in the following claims, which are directed to the features of this specification, including combinations of features disclosed or claimed individually herein.

Claims

1. A fluid processing apparatus comprising a detection assembly and a control unit, wherein the detection assembly includes a supply source and a detector, the supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus, is provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, and is configured to emit a signal, the detector is associated with a structure of the fluid processing apparatus, is provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, and is configured to receive at least a part of the signal, the detection assembly, an adjustment system associated with the supply source, wherein the control unit is configured to control the adjustment system so as to adjust the position and orientation of the supply source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and orientation of a component of the supply source with respect to another component of the supply source, and / or an adjustment system associated with the detector, wherein the control unit is configured to control the adjustment system so as to adjust the position and orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and orientation of a component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector, and further includes the control unit controls the adjustment system associated with the supply source to move the supply source to a plurality of different positions and / or orientations with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or move the component of the supply source to a plurality of different positions and / or orientations with respect to another component of the supply source, and / or controls the adjustment system associated with the detector to move the detector to a plurality of different positions and / or orientations with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or move the component of the detector to a plurality of different positions and / or orientations with respect to another component of the detector, receives a signal from the detector when the supply source, the component of the supply source, the detector, and / or the component of the detector are in the plurality of different positions and / or orientations, When the signal from the detector has the maximum voltage, the signals from the detector are compared with each other to determine the position and / or orientation of the source, the components of the source, the detector, and / or the components of the detector, A fluid processing apparatus configured to control the adjustment system associated with the source to move the source and / or the components of the source to the position and / or orientation at which the signal from the detector has the maximum voltage, and / or to control the adjustment system associated with the detector to move the detector and / or the components of the detector to the position and / or orientation at which the signal from the detector has the maximum voltage. Claim 2 The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the source is associated with a stationary component of the fluid processing apparatus. Claim 3 The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the source is associated with a movable component of the fluid processing apparatus. Claim 4 The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector is associated with a stationary structure of the fluid processing apparatus. Claim 5 The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector is associated with a movable structure of the fluid processing apparatus. Claim 6 A fluid processing apparatus comprising a detection assembly and a control unit, wherein the detection assembly includes a source and a detector, the source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus, provided to the component of the fluid processing apparatus at an initial position and an initial orientation, and configured to emit a signal, the detector is associated with a structure of the fluid processing apparatus, provided to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus at an initial position and an initial orientation, and configured to receive at least a part of the signal, the detection assembly, an adjustment system associated with the source, wherein the control unit is configured to control the adjustment system to adjust the position and orientation of the source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or to adjust the position and orientation of the components of the source with respect to another component of the source, and / or An adjustment system associated with the detector, wherein the control unit controls the adjustment system to adjust the position and orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and orientation of the components of the detector with respect to another component of the detector, and further includes the adjustment system configured as such, The control unit receives a signal from the detector, compares the signal from the detector with a reference signal from the detector, and when the signal from the detector has a voltage lower than the voltage of the corresponding reference signal, to increase the voltage of the signal from the detector, the position and / or orientation of the supply source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or orientation of the component of the supply source with respect to another component of the supply source are adjusted. To control the adjustment system associated with the supply source, and / or to adjust the position and / or orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or orientation of the component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector. A fluid processing apparatus configured to control the adjustment system associated with the detector.

7. A fluid processing apparatus comprising a detection assembly and a control unit, wherein the detection assembly includes a supply source and a detector, the supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, and configured to emit a signal, the detector is associated with the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, provided in an initial position and an initial orientation with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, and configured to receive at least a part of the signal, The detection assembly is an adjustment system associated with the supply source, wherein the control unit controls the adjustment system to adjust the position and / or orientation of the supply source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or orientation of the component of the supply source with respect to another component of the supply source. The adjustment system configured as such, and / or An adjustment system associated with the detector, wherein the control unit controls the adjustment system such that the position and / or orientation of the detector is adjusted relative to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or orientation of the components of the detector is adjusted relative to another component of the detector, further comprising the adjustment system configured as such, The fluid processing apparatus is configured to accommodate a fluid flow circuit for guiding a fluid flow through the fluid processing apparatus, The control unit, Receives an orientation signal from the detection assembly indicating the position and / or orientation of a component of the fluid flow circuit associated with the fluid processing apparatus, Determines based on the orientation signal whether the position and / or the orientation of the component of the fluid flow circuit is different from a predicted position and / or a predicted orientation, and, If the position and / or the orientation of the component of the fluid flow circuit is different from the predicted position and / or the predicted orientation, the control unit is configured to control the adjustment system associated with the supply source to adjust the position and / or the orientation of the supply source relative to the component of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or the orientation of the components of the supply source relative to another component of the supply source, and / or to control the adjustment system associated with the detector to adjust the position and / or the orientation of the detector relative to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus and / or the position and / or the orientation of the components of the detector relative to another component of the detector. A fluid processing apparatus.

8. The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment system associated with the supply source is configured to adjust the position of the supply source and / or the components of the supply source in three dimensions.

9. The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment system associated with the detector is configured to adjust the position of the detector and / or the components of the detector in three dimensions.

10. The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply source comprises a light source and the detector comprises a photodetector.

11. The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the component of the supply source comprises a lens.

12. A method for monitoring a fluid and / or a fluid component in a fluid processing device including a supply source and a detector, wherein the supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing device and is provided to the component of the fluid processing device in an initial position and an initial orientation, and the detector is associated with a structure of the fluid processing device and is provided to the structure of the fluid processing device in an initial position and an initial orientation, the method comprising: emitting a signal from the supply source to the fluid and / or the fluid component in the fluid processing device; receiving at least a part of the signal by the detector; moving the supply source to a plurality of different orientations or positions and orientations with respect to the component of the fluid processing device, and / or moving the component of the supply source to a plurality of different orientations or positions and orientations with respect to another component of the supply source, and / or moving the detector to a plurality of different orientations or positions and orientations with respect to the structure of the fluid processing device, and / or moving the component of the detector to a plurality of different orientations or positions and orientations with respect to another component of the detector; receiving a signal from the detector when the supply source, the component of the supply source, the detector, and / or the component of the detector are in the plurality of different positions and / or orientations; comparing the signals from the detector with each other to determine the position and / or the orientation of the supply source, the component of the supply source, the detector, and / or the component of the detector when the signal from the detector has a maximum voltage; and moving the supply source and / or the detector and / or the component of the supply source and / or the component of the detector to the position and / or the orientation at which the signal from the detector has the maximum voltage. Claim 13 The method according to claim 12, wherein the supply source is stationary while emitting the signal. Claim 14 The method according to claim 12, wherein the supply source is moving while emitting the signal. Claim 15 The method according to claim 12, wherein the detector is stationary while receiving at least a part of the signal. Claim 16 The method according to claim 12, wherein the detector is moving while receiving at least a part of the signal.

17. A method for monitoring a fluid and / or a fluid component in a fluid processing apparatus including a supply source and a detector, wherein the supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus and is provided to the component of the fluid processing apparatus in an initial position and an initial orientation, the detector is associated with a structure of the fluid processing apparatus and is provided to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus in an initial position and an initial orientation, the method comprising: emitting a signal from the supply source to the fluid and / or the fluid component in the fluid processing apparatus; at least a part of the signal being received by the detector; emitting a signal from the detector; comparing the signal from the detector with a reference signal from the detector; when the signal from the detector has a voltage smaller than the voltage of the corresponding reference signal, adjusting the orientation or the position and the orientation of the supply source with respect to the component of the fluid processing apparatus, and / or adjusting the orientation or the position and the orientation of a component of the supply source with respect to another component of the supply source, and / or adjusting the orientation or the position and the orientation of the detector with respect to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus, and / or adjusting the orientation or the position and the orientation of a component of the detector with respect to another component of the detector to increase the voltage of the signal from the detector.

18. A method for monitoring a fluid and / or a fluid component in a fluid processing apparatus including a detection assembly configured to house a fluid flow circuit for guiding a fluid flow through the fluid processing apparatus and including a supply source and a detector, wherein the supply source is associated with a component of the fluid processing apparatus and is provided to the component of the fluid processing apparatus in an initial position and an initial orientation, the detector is associated with a structure of the fluid processing apparatus and is provided to the structure of the fluid processing apparatus in an initial position and an initial orientation, the method comprising: emitting a signal from the supply source to the fluid and / or the fluid component in the fluid processing apparatus; at least a part of the signal being received by the detector; determining based on an orientation signal from the detection assembly whether a position and / or an orientation of a component of the fluid flow circuit housed by the fluid processing apparatus is different from an expected position and / or an expected orientation. A method comprising taking into account the position and / or the orientation of the components of the fluid flow circuit by adjusting the position and / or the orientation of the source relative to the components of the fluid treatment apparatus and / or the position and / or the orientation of the components of the source relative to another component of the source, and / or by adjusting the position and / or the orientation of the detector relative to the structure of the fluid treatment apparatus and / or the position and / or the orientation of the components of the detector relative to another component of the detector, when the position and / or the orientation of the components of the fluid flow circuit are different from the expected position and / or the expected orientation. Claim 19 The method according to claim 12, wherein the source comprises a light source and the detector comprises a light detector. Claim 20 The method according to claim 19, wherein the components of the source comprise a lens.

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